The stools were an old estate sale find that I picked up years ago, but over time, they got beat up. They were in perfect condition when I bought them, but over the years, they became sloppily painted or used as pedestals when I needed to spray paint something or test paint colors. Can’t you tell?? 🙂

Now it was time to give them a second lease on life.

BEFORE

And yes, you can shorten barstools.

As you see above, the one on the right is the original height. The bar stool on the left I shortened years ago. But now, making DIY eat-in kitchen table, I needed both bar stools to be the same height and to fit comfortably under the kitchen table.

The fun part is that I got the kids involved! Little Kojo (who just started Kindergarten this week, by the way!!) and his brother, Ohene, painted one of the stools and I did the other one.

Overall, I was super excited at how the new eat-in kitchen table turned out!

The blue is very vibrant outdoors in natural light and I like how it complimented the mahogany stain on the eat in kitchen table top.

I’ve been using Beyond Paint on furniture pieces for the last several years (they’re awesome sponsors of some of my projects!). For this project, I told them I wanted to paint something this gorgeous Navy color, although I have no idea what it would be until the very last minute. LOL

Sometimes I just have to wait for inspiration to strike and after looking at that table top in the garage, I knew the Navy color would make an amazing table base color.

Isn’t it gorgeous??

Inside, in the dim light of my kitchen (which feels like a dark cave sometimes, LOL), the Navy takes on a deeper color.

I Love Having an Eat-In Kitchen Table For the Kids!

It’s embarrassing to say but my kids usually eat on the steps, like a pack of puppies at feasting time.

They’re too messy to eat in the living room…and who wants to be away from the family in the lonesome dining room??

So the two step-down area of the kitchen that leads into my family room is where I’ve allowed them to eat in an attempt to contain their mess. But they don’t deserve to be sitting there all cramped up, scooping their food off their plates like animals (well-loved animals, of course….).

With school starting, I wanted them to have a place to eat breakfast in the morning, a place to do schoolwork when they come home, and a place to sit and have a conversation while hubby or I am cooking.

(They look waaaay too serious here, LOL).

I like that the eat in kitchen placement is right next to the window.

It’s right underneath this old pendant lamp that seriously needs a makeover or a replacement (much less a good wipe down!). LOL

Although I have done some things to the kitchen, it still needs a lot of sprucing up, such as a new pendant lamp, new ceiling lights, updated appliances, and new flooring. But those things will come in time.

Next Steps for the Eat-In Kitchen Table!

The only thing missing from this eat-in kitchen table (that is bar stool height) is a foot rest.

My friend who you’ve known as Thrift Store Pete suggested I add a metal pipe with a metal flange like this one, so that it lends to the industrial look, makes it look cool, and provides a comfy place for people to rest their feet when sitting.

I’ll have to head to the store to pick up those last materials. I also need a few more stools. Being a family of five, three of which are boys, two stools just ain’t gonna cut it. LOL

Comments

Great reclamation! Good quality solid wood with character is hard to find these days. You mentioned a foot bar? I’ve always used the stool rungs for my feet and you kids probably will too. With a bar, the stools won’t fit under the table and may wander. Something to think about.

Hi, Karen! We use the stool rungs, too, but that it would be nice to have a metal pipe-type bar there. It also helps with supporting the legs. The drafting table that I took the top from had a metal bar and it looks nice and fits with stools, so I think it should be good! I just haven’t gotten around to it yet. Projects, projects, projects! 🙂

The Transformation is unbelievably amazing… The perfect use of colours give a very elegant look…The blue furniture is breathtaking and brings life to the room…Thanks for sharing this amazing post..Feeling Inspired!

Serena, you have such a good eye and are so creative! The table is so charming! I too like the look of a painted base with a stained wood top. I enjoy reading about all your projects and thrifting! Happy hunting! PS your boys are adorable!

Aww, thanks, Donna! It’s so funny how I never really know what project I’m going to work on or how it’s going to turn out until I get started! HAHA. I’m glad that the vision comes to me. And yep, I’m like you–I love the mix of wood and paint. The best of both worlds!

Ummmm…I absolutely adore that lamp! Please please don’t paint it, I would cry lol. I see how it doesn’t fit with your space though so you do totally need a refresh! I myself need to convert three can lights to pendants but I’m too cheap to drop $20 per retro fit kit so I’m just waiting for someone to do a pendant light rewiring blog post ? I can’t wait to see how your space developes! We’re in the same boat with a lack of eat in space, my feral animals eat in the living room at our coffee table, I have the horribly stained carpet to prove it lol

Hey, Jessica! Funny you mention that about the lamp because someone years ago told me they loved it, too, which is one reason I had never changed it. HA! 🙂 Oh, and this post and video might help you with the wiring! 😉